Understanding HIV

What is HIV and AIDS?

HIV stands for Human Immunodeficiency Virus. It is a virus that attacks the body’s immune system, which is its protection against diseases. When left untreated, the virus leaves the body with little or no protection against illnesses and infections.

AIDS stands for Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome and is categorised by a collection of illnesses or symptoms. In the 1980s and early 90s, most people with HIV were eventually diagnosed with AIDS.

Now, thanks to modern antiretroviral treatment, very few people in the UK develop serious HIV-related illnesses. The term AIDS isn’t used much by UK doctors. Instead, they talk about late-stage or advanced HIV.

When a person living with HIV is effectively adhering to their medication regime, the virus is totally supressed, and the immune system can work as needed.

HIV treatment is now so good that people living with HIV can take one or a few pills every day to keep the virus totally under control, meaning they are no longer able to pass the virus on and will not experience any symptoms. This state is called ‘undetectable’.

How is HIV transmitted?

HIV can only be transmitted from the direct contact of certain bodily fluids of someone living with HIV and has a detectable viral load (usually people who are not on treatment) mixing with the blood of a negative person.

There are only 4 bodily fluids that carry the HIV virus. They are; blood, semen, breast milk and anal/vaginal secretions.

In the UK, most (95%) new HIV acquisitions are transmitted via condomless sex. Much smaller proportions acquired HIV through injecting drug use or from mother to baby (1.8% each). Mother to baby or vertical transmission can occur either in the womb, during birth or via breastfeeding.

HIV CAN NOT be transmitted via spitting, sneezing, coughing, sharing towels, sitting on toilet seats, being in the same room as someone, kissing or hugging.

See these useful videos from aidsmap.

If you would like to test for HIV click here.

How is HIV treated?

Although there is no cure for HIV, medication is now so effective that people living with HIV can expect a normal, healthy life and can become Untransmittable, meaning that HIV really does end with them, providing they adhere to their treatment.

What is antiretroviral therapy?

Antiretroviral therapy, or ART, is a powerful combination of drugs that people living with HIV take to stop the HIV virus replicating in their bodies and to suppress the virus in the body. ART is so efficient that if adhered to properly the HIV virus can become undetectable in the body meaning that that person is non-infectious.

When should you start taking HIV meds?

You should start taking ARTs as soon after diagnosis as possible. It is especially important to start taking ARTs quickly if you are pregnant, if you have any AIDS-related illnesses or if you have any co-infections such as Hep B or C.

Are there any risks to taking HIV meds?

Like with all medication, there are possible side effects. However, the risks associated with taking HIV medication are far outweighed by the benefits of taking HIV medication, but if you feel concerned, talk to your GP/medical professionals, and they will be able to talk you through this.

Side effects

Some people can experience side-effects to medications such as headaches, nausea, or even throat swelling. It is important to speak to a professional about such side effects. There are also some associated risks with taking HIV medication intermittently. It can mean that the HIV virus becomes resistant to the drugs. So, although we recommend taking medication as soon as you can, if you are worried about adherence, it may be worth delaying until you are in a place to adhere to medication regularly.

Drug interactions

There can be interactions with HIV meds and other medication or recreational drugs. This app from Liverpool University can help you manage any drug interactions, including interactions from recreational and party drugs https://www.hiv-druginteractions.org.

How does antiretroviral therapy work?

There is a lot of science behind antiretroviral therapy that we will not go into here! In basic form, antiretroviral therapy stops the HIV virus replicating and so reduces – and ultimately totally suppresses – the amount of HIV in the body. It does this at several points in the HIV life cycle and is really, really good at doing its job.

So, HIV meds, that all sounds quite easy?

For some people it’s easy, for others it’s hard. There are many, many factors that could make it easier or harder for someone to take medication. For example, some people need to take their medication with food but may not have enough money to eat; some people may need to take their medication at the same time every day but work irregular shift patterns; everyone needs to keep their medication somewhere, but what if you’re homeless? It is easiest to adhere to medication when living in stable accommodation, with enough money to support yourself. If you think you need support which will enable you to adhere to your medication then please contact us, we are here to help. In the meantime, please watch the video below from aidsmap providing you with tips to adhere.

Advice and support

Ageing & HIV

People living with HIV are now living longer than ever, because of accessible and effective HIV treatment. Half of people accessing HIV care in the UK are now aged 50+.

There have been several studies conducted looking at the concerns HIV+ people have in growing older with the virus. Concerns around access to care, isolation and loneliness are high amongst people living with HIV. These concerns are even more prevalent in women growing older with HIV. Moreover, for women there are also additional concerns about how HIV may affect menopause.

In this video produced by aidsmap Dr Tristan Barber and Jo Josh talk about HIV and ageing, including the health prospects for people living with HIV, and give advice for people to stay healthy as they get older https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aBIIKszusuc&t=36s.

Aidsmap’s Susan Cole talks about HIV and the menopause.

For more information on HIV and ageing please visit aidmaps where they have very good factsheets on a range of co-morbidities – https://www.aidsmap.com/topic/health-problems-ageing.

HIV & the law

HIV is listed as a protected characteristic under the Equalities Act 2010. This means that it is unlawful to discriminate against anyone for their HIV status.

In England and Wales there is no legal obligation to disclose your HIV status to a sexual partner.

If you take precautions to protect your sexual partner from HIV by using a condom or ensuring your viral load is undetectable by adhering to treatment, it is extremely unlikely you would be charged with a criminal offence.

Deciding how and when and to share your status it ultimately your decision to make and for some it can be a difficult decision to make with many different factors, including fear of stigma playing their part. Your wellbeing should be the top priority. If you think you would like support in sharing your status or would like to speak to someone living with HIV who has shared their status with others, please contact us.

For more information on telling healthcare workers, your employer and information on insurance options please visit https://www.aidsmap.com/topic/social-legal-issues.

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